uk_grenada

Credit card standards are just that, if they carry visa or mastercard logos thats what they really are. Do you not think - if you cant get the card in the slot its a bit of a fundamental issue with the card duh. NB i know the readers care about size and thickness and expect an electrical resistance, but it cant see the mag stripe or chip till its inserted.

Ive actually visited the uk visa online processing facility that handles all transactions in the country. Its 6 fridge sized boxes, triplicated in 3 data centres, tiny but works like a jewel, can you guess where the global visa system software is coded ? That’ll be london...

My uk based bank does everything by web or phone, they have but dont need branches, and it works all over the world. They accept digitally signed docs where legally they need signatures, and in 20 years have never made an error for me.

Check out halifax clarity cards, a credit card that charges nothing for cash or transactions, used globally, strangely my american and canadian friends cant get anything like that. Just get cash abroad with it at the current unloaded rate and pay for it in the uk, job done...

jonboy

halifax clarity card, a gift for the traveller!

Pulaski

Stand by for a facetious ad hominem attack!

amideislas

Neither my Spanish nor German bank charges fees for receiving money. In fact, I don't believe I've ever held an account with a bank that does. Our US friends say it's quite normal over there though. Maybe that's where you get it.

In fact, wire transfer is so common here ("checking" no longer exists - since about a decade now), it's how we pay almost everything. Utilities, services, taxes... Including cross-border payments. To the bank, it's all the same exercise. But again, I think you may need to break outside your bubble to truly understand the benefit of those things.

johnnyone

Caixa. Charge me 0.5%, (including the first charge on a transfer for a property purchase). I was with Barclays Spain and they did not charge but when taken over by Caixa the charges started.
I do keep meaning to change banks but I do not want an online account and other banks require a substantial monthly credit to get free or reduced cost banking or there are no significant benefits in changing.
I am also lazy.

In the UK I have never ever been charged for a current account.

scrubbedexpat095

LOL how did on earth did you know that would happen ;-)

Pulaski

But again you have only demonstrated your profound ignorance of what you are talking about. A wire is something very specific, and confined almost entirely to larger amounts and mostly by businesses. There are many other types of electronic transfers between banks, and most of them are free, even in the US. Some of them are domestic or regional, increasingly there are also international options too, but they are not wires.

Any attempt to educate you on the subject in hand is met with misinformation, sarcasm, and insults, but the only person who it reflects badly on is you.

Several of my employers sent and received wires, to and from all over the world, every continent, every corner of the world, and most countries, and I have undoubtedly seen more wires than you have had hot dinners, so please stop blathering about things which you don't understand. If you actually cared, which I doubt, you might actually learn a thing or two!

Rosemary

For the benefit of other members on the forum could Pulaski and amideislas please take their current argument to PM´s.

Rosemary

todonnell

I just tried my Sabadell card in the machine at Marylebone Station - the machine allowed me to insert my card and enter my PIN, but when I tried to get a balance on-screen it said "this operation is not available" (or similar) and gave my card back.
I didn't re-enter it and try to get money out as I know I'd be charged for doing that.

Rosemary

Hi and a warm welcome to the Spanish forum on BE. Myself and Fred James are the moderators for the Spanish forums whilst myself and BEVS moderate Europe. Please read the Site Rules Site Rules | British Expatriate Community adhere to them so that the site runs smoothly. Moderators are there to ensure that the rules of BE are maintained. This is so that members gain the information that they are looking for and find their experiences on the forums to be friendly and worthwhile.

Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderator who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are usually friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge about the issues of living in Spain. I hope that you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

MikeJ

What a load of misinformed tosh!

FullCircle

I just thought I should send a quick post even though this thread has gone off topic. I managed to speak with Sabadell last night and they believe the card is damaged and have ordered a replacement.
Cheers

amideislas

OK... But in practice, that's actually how it is. It's still impossible to send money anywhere abroad with my UK account without visiting a branch and filling out paperwork. The "transfer" business is all but exclusively a UK cottage industry. There's a reason for that.

snikpoh

I send money abroad from my UK bank (s) on a regular basis with no problems at all - haven't been near a branch or filled any paperwork in for over 12 years.

So, I really don't know why you say it's impossible as it clearly isn't - must just be you and your account!

johnnyone

Are you absolutely sure? I can transfer money abroad, the same day online through my UK bank.